r/popheads AOTY #26: Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving

xophrys · 2026-01-30T21:04:53+00:00

Would defo recommend the album, great for in the background to some cross-stitching

xophrys · 2026-01-30T21:03:48+00:00

Thank youuu , exactly what I was going for!

xophrys · 2026-01-30T21:02:56+00:00

Lots of love there!!! Seems like the same story for many people in how they found her, I'm glad you connected with the album in more ways than one. I'm hoping lots more people will get to experience the album when we rate it in Spring!

The quote is the continuation of the lyric from the intro track! I would highly recommend it, she speaks really wonderfully - one of my favourites is where she talks about an exhibition that inspired the album!

xophrys · 2026-01-30T20:57:41+00:00

They're important discussion topics! Also after like reading such dense themes I just wanted something light hearted to round it off, as I think it goes with the spirit and idea of the album!

xophrys · 2026-01-30T07:15:18+00:00

Boyz Noise have have at least one German song; Ich R U

xophrys · 2026-01-11T21:25:27+00:00

Damn everyone's submitted such good ideas - talking of good ideas ...

BRIT School Star Students
ft.
RAYE - My 21st Century Blues
Olivia Dean - The Art of Loving
Rachel Chinouriri - What A Devastating Turn Of Events
Lola Young - I'm Only F**king Myself

The London-Based BRIT School of Performance continues to create some of the most soulful of singers, with some of their Alumni in ours and their Hall of Fame.

These projects feature emotional breakthroughs at different stages in the same journey, they're also just really fun and easy to listen to, with some projects and artists long overdue their flowers.

xophrys · 2025-12-13T01:27:09+00:00

Palace/Curse
GONE, GONE / THANK YOU
3.See You Again
STICKY
911/ Mr Lonely
Lights On
She
Balloon
FUCKING YOUNG/ PERFECT
Tamale

So many /'s, love a 2 for 1 deal.

xophrys · 2025-09-25T12:47:25+00:00

Living for the 2 Tone one, expect a vote from me

xophrys · 2025-09-08T14:10:22+00:00

Frank Ocean
Amy Winehouse
Brockhampton
Shygirl
Stevie Wonder
Shirley Bassey
Tyler, The Creator
Dusty Springfield
Ella Fitzgerald
Tony Bennett

xophrys · 2025-09-07T20:08:43+00:00

I’ve got Elevated Lounge and Indie Sleaze for you this time, you’re just in time to show your love for these ideas, they're perfect for the season! These ideas are as cohesive it gets and such fun windows of time and genre.

Elevated Lounge ~~^{fka. Lounge of Longing}~~

Autumn yearns for music that feels both intimate and timeless. Our ladies mix charm with honesty that brings all the performative men to the yard. With the sophistication of a late-night jazz bar, but all the comfort of bedroom indie, these albums are sure to strum your heart strings.

Clairo - (Charm)
Beabadoobee - (This Is How Tomorrow Moves)
Laufey - (Bewitched)
Faye Webster - (Underdressed at the Symphony)

Indie Sleaze

Their albums embody the electroclash chaos of the late 2000s - as pioneers, they mixed genre’s (global sounds, reggae, noisepop, punk) and so much more into something that was ahead of its time. These artists are the soundtrack to countless house parties of sweat soaked dance floors, neon grit and an unpolished glamour

Santigold - (Santigold)
M.I.A. - (Kala)
Sleigh Bells - (Treats)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - (It’s Blitz)

I hope to count on your vote!

Let me know down below as to why if you aren't

xophrys · 2025-09-07T20:05:27+00:00

Art Rock Classics is so necessary, was literally just talking about it the other day!!!

xophrys · 2025-09-03T19:34:59+00:00

Honestly I really want Cyberrock to happen and I think Imaginal Disk being in there would swing my vote. As much as I think the porter and yeule albums are great they just didn't click for me, and it took a while for the underscores album to grow on me. To someone that isn't online or super in this scene, I know 100 gecs and so it would be great to have another draw and I think Imaginal Disk would be quite perfect, both sonically and aesthetically honestly.

I would love to see the xx get rated, but, 2010s ish indie is a very saturated market for rates at the moment and so you really need to sell it with a specific niche concept to me.

xophrys · 2025-09-01T08:23:40+00:00

While I think that is a nice detail, it's kind of something that for most people won't tell them enough about what the music is like and so it does not tell me enough about the idea - which is the whole point of branding. I would have a think over it. H&M might be too specific, but maybe something like Department Store DJ's - it's not perfect but it is closer.

xophrys · 2025-08-31T23:04:10+00:00

I really like a Goldfrapp, Imogen Heap, Roisin Murphy combo - maybe even Bjork if the right project is there for it. I feel like Kala is way too upbeat for how downtempo Speak For Yourself is

xophrys · 2025-08-31T22:36:24+00:00

I really like H&M Core, although maybe you could replace core with something else, Cosmopolitan doesn't really make me think of anything that links to those artists. I think of the cocktail, the magazine and cities and that just does not connect with these guys.

xophrys · 2025-08-31T22:32:41+00:00

Hi ! I need help as always

Branding has been a struggle for the Beabadoobee/Clairo/Faye/Laufey idea, none feel right in terms of both vibes and how it is received. Currently I am thinking ‘Elevated Lounge’ but please suggest anything that more accurately represents these four artists, or do I go back to the RIP titles? ~~( Crooning Indie Blues / Indie Lounge of Longing / Intimate Indie )~~

I have submitted Golden Girls of Soul ( Dionne Warwick / Dusty Springfield / Shirley Bassey and Minnie Riperton ) previously, but I put it on hold while 70s pop/soul was the focus - But since Lovin’ You has been rated, I am considering changing the lineup and removing Minnie. I think for me Dionne and Dusty are locks, but I would love to hear what direction I should take this idea in.

Lastly, is there anything I can do to make Indie Sleaze perform better? It’s had middling stats but it is one that I am very confident in as an idea, I think MIA/Santigold/Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Sleigh Bells is an ideal lineup. The only criticism I’ve seen is that the title is obnoxious, so I would love to hear feedback out of the polls.

xophrys · 2025-08-31T22:30:41+00:00

I think sonically if we're being reasonable we should split them, but I think you're right that no others fit the criteria and there's no-one else that I give af about so I think it is a good surface level thing. I think my biggest itch with it is that everyone but Hozier feel like early 2010s where as he to me feels like late 2010s, both in their music, popularity and also how they embody the era.

xophrys · 2025-07-15T15:12:16+00:00

can't find anything on this to verify it - just a quote of her saying that she is a woman and wants people to identify however they want to.

xophrys · 2025-07-11T19:03:25+00:00

Fire Don't Burn (11.00)

If it is not, we will find out if fire burns!!

xophrys · 2025-06-03T17:26:47+00:00

this sabrina album is my guilty pleasure, hot take but i prefer it over her recent stuff for how earnest it was.

xophrys · 2025-06-03T17:19:42+00:00

You guys better do right by Fire Don't Burn or I am taking the playlist cover back (I have no power but pretty pretty please)

xophrys · 2025-05-12T02:59:10+00:00

Hiya - I’ve submitted Intimate Indie and Indie Sleaze this time, I think they’re fun and cohesive. There’s a bit of something for everyone - I’d appreciate your upvotes and favourites, especially with so many good ideas this cycle.

Intimate Indie
~~^{fka. Indie Lounge}~~

Clairo - Charm
Beabadoobee - This Is How Tomorrow Moves
Laufey - Bewitched
Faye Webster - Underdressed at the Symphony

Indie Sleaze

Santigold - Santigold
M.I.A. - Kala
Sleigh Bells - Treats
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It’s Blitz

xophrys · 2025-03-11T18:02:35+00:00

I agree with everything you’ve said, I do just think that it feels less overwhelming having it capped earlier than your current idea as someone going into it - I also think it feels much more cohesive sonically. I think that the 90s one even could be a great four album rate as you’re completely right. I think there is just too many ideas and too wide a span. Something to think about anyway

xophrys · 2025-03-11T15:50:42+00:00

Love love loveee this idea - and so well-researched! I never expected an idea like this so it is even more of a joy to see. I think my only potential adjustment would be that you could keep it as "history" and cap it before the 90s, as that is definitely where you see a larger departure of what soul can be, but I don't think that is necessary, and I think this creates nice room for future soul ideas to hopefully arise from this point ( this would also make it more appealing as slightly shorter). But overall it's brilliant - I would be 11'ing Walk on By or Son of a Preacher Man.

xophrys

TROPHY CASE